Eagle Claw…Feather Light Fly Rods…
- This topic has 12 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated Jun 7, 2006 at 11:54 pm by
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The other night in the “I.A.” chat Okieff and I were talking about fly rods we own and we ended up both having an Eagle Claw Feather Light fly rod. I had purchased mine twelve years paired with a Martin reel and the cheapest fly line they could sell to a young kid that didn’t know any better. Over a decade later the fly rod is the only thing I still have around.
If you don’t own one of these fly rods, you’ve most likely seen them at a hardware store or other discount store fishing section, but I am here to tell you that the fiberglass Eagle Claw Feather Light fly rods are actually quite a neat rod for the money. Don’t let the bright guady yellow fiberglass blank put you off…this rod can cast pretty decent and really is a pleasure for its slow action. And the componets aren’t bad either…no plastic reel seat…these are metal instead…which is a beef of mine on low end fly rods.
I had pretty much let my seven foot five weight Feather Light gather dust in the back of the closet but last week I took it out to the pond and caught several shellcrackers on a brown foam spider fly. They were a nice reminder that this rod should not be forgotten…
It got me thinking and I started wondering how many others on the board might own these rods…and the paces that you’ve put them through on the water… And for those of you looking for an inexpensive (around $20) fly rod for backcountry and brushy water…or warmwater…this might be an option worth looking into…
Does anyone know if these rods are still being made? Or are the online retailers pushing the last of the stock? And Okieff…you said that you had a three weight…is that the six foot six inch model? Both that model and the seven foot show for a five weight line on most of the websites and wondered if they had made a lighter one on the past. And is there a heavier weight model as well…like a seven weight?
Cameron,
Check Ebay. I see them all the time, and there is a 6’6″ version as well. I’ve often thought about getting one, for the price even if it sucked I wouldn’t kick myself very hard. Glad to hear a good review of the rods.
Roger Stouff
LouisianaThis topic takes me back. Over 20 years ago as a teenager I had one of these rods. I think it was the 7 footer. I loved it. I used it mainly for the bluegill in the local ponds. I don’t know what happened to the old rod. I might look on ebay and see if I can find one…..
Greg
It would be neat to start some “cult” following after these little rods…
Hahaha, I’d be up for that.
I just purchased one off ebay for $25. The 7 footer. Should be a lot of fun. Now if I can find an old Martin reel (model 60?) my trip down memory lane will be complete. I’ll actually probably put a medalist on it.
Greg
My 7 foot feather light came yesterday. Can’t wait to try it. I was surprised that it was rated for a #6 line though. I didn’t remember that. I lawn cast it with a #4 and #5 and the #4 actually seemed best. Anyone else use a smaller line than the rating? I really the slow action of the rod – but I could still throw quite a bit of line.
One other thing: I forgot about the “medallion” they put on the cork of these rods. Has anyone that has one of them tried to remove it? That’s one small thing I don’t care for. I could live with it however.
Greg
Bought the 6’6″ off e-bay for $14.99. What a deal….not. I tried it out this weekend and it’s not much use.
I agree with Cameron. A high performance rod it ain’t. But most glass and even most cane rods aren’t casting machines. But they sure are fun to cast short to moderate distances and catch fish on in my opinion.
Greg
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